fraud – Scriptingthewhy.com

Swapping Phones and Trading Places

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Jesus Saves but Scriptingthewhy saved my bank account baby! Read this script!
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Hey you, yes you, you the reader. Do you want to know a secret? I know something special about you. The fact that you’re reading this means that you are in the market for getting robbed.

I’m sure there hasn’t been a point in time, where you haven’t had the thought to give some stranger on the internet your hard-earned cash. Please keep in mind that hard-earned was said depending on your work ethic, we all know that results may vary. You say “no”? None of this sounds appealing to you. Don’t worry, that wasn’t my angle.

Humans, it has long been known that we are creatures of habit. We don’t like change much, so we often don’t like it when our plans have hiccups. This could range from something small like having to pick up a tube of toothpaste because you just squeezed your last bit this morning and now you have to add another item to stop for on your shopping list or, to something big like having your phone no longer working because it’s not in your name despite the fact it was fully functional the day before.

You don’t quite understand that last one? Don’t worry, I’m going to script it for you.

Lord, I think this is what Z-Daddy was talking about. This phone was working a minute ago.
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A Change in Signal

If you can, picture you’re using your phone for one minute and you put it down only to come back moments later to find that it no longer operates the same. You try making some calls, double check to see if you have any “bars” (“signal”, if you wanted to be technical).

You turn on and off the airplane mode, restart your phone, and still nothing. It’s obvious that something is off and this clearly isn’t normal, you shouldn’t try putting it off to deal with it later.

There is a super high chance that you could be experiencing SIM Swapping. SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) swapping which may go by other names like SIM hijacking, SIM splitting, or sim jacking (not sure how much I like that last one, sounds like a trip to HR), is the art of an attacker/hacker gaining control of your phone number.

Once your number is obtained, life for you is going to go from Netflix and Chill to Bodies by Drowning Pool pretty quickly.

Another globe crisis and cyberattacks on the rise…I’m good with this.
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Changing Faces

If you’re an advent reader of mine then you’ll already know or have a good sense of who would commit this act and why, but if you’re not, ask yourself the following. How could you have committed this heinous crime of not subscribing? Why haven’t you subscribed to keep up to date on when I post? And are you going to be missing out if you don’t subscribe? To that last one, I can honestly say “yes”.

Subscription shaming aside, this act is committed with the intent of the attacker becoming you. Why would someone choose you as a target you may be asking? As mentioned before, imposing as you can grant them access to everything you have and more.

They can intercept incoming messages meant for you. Some events have involved credit cards being charged and financial institutions trying to confirm if the purchase was legit only for the attacker to confirm in your place.

Sometimes there’s just no other way to say it.
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Ways to Phone Jack

So you may be wondering, how is something like this executed. I mean, clearly, there has to be some telltale signs before it even happens, right? Well…in most and by most meaning all, you’ll never know that your information is being collected.

This could be done by using keyloggers malware, phishing emails, or which happens in most cases social engineering. The attacker will be someone who has been in the same vicinity as you and has listened close and long enough to obtain enough information to pose themselves as you.

Enough to fool your cellphone provider into giving them more information that they may be missing to commit further attacks. Once that happens, the fun of trying to get everything back in order begins, depending on your response time when you find out your phone no longer has service.

I watched out for social engineering, and I’m didn’t crazy.
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Becoming Socially Unacceptable

At this junction, which is normal, you might be wondering how to prevent this from happening. Social engineering is tricky to catch, so you have to pay attention to everyone you’re within earshot of. Trying to do this constantly will drive you insane and pretty much overload your senses…well and at some point, you’re going to lock eyes with someone for a little longer than what’s considered to be normal, and you may end up weirding them out. The point is, you’re going to end up like Jim Carrey from the movie 23 and be uber-paranoid.

An easier and more sane solution is to be mindful of your volume in places where you’re required to verbally give your information as talking to the person as if you two are in a rave could end poorly since eavesdropping is an easy skill perk that we all have. If writing it down, make sure you are aware of people who may walk by as this could lead to them being able to perform “shoulder surfing”, this is a clever name I know. I didn’t coin it but still somehow, I can feel your judgment.

Some other countermeasures you can take instead of opting for text-based confirmations are, your cellphone provider will let you add a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to your account for an extra layer of protection. When making use of 2FAs (two-factor authentications) verification methods, opt for biometrics which relies on either facial recognition or fingerprint scanning as this involves confirmation of your physical being.

Another method is having a security key that looks like a flash drive but a simple tap or insert into the phone could be more secure if you didn’t want the hassle of trying to get your phone to recognize your face. It is highly advised to contact your provider as soon as possible if you get a “Number changed” or your phone stops operating normally, the effects and fallout could run into years of working to get everything fixed.

Within 5 hours a credit card statement of $7,845.35 could be in your name and that could be the prelude to what’s to come.

Small Detour:

Check out this person’s experience with SIM swapping because their story is wild, click here.

Sean: I want to be a hacker like Z-Daddy when I grow up.
Z-Daddy: I’m not a hacker kid, you know what, forget it.
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Made it this far and found this to be entertaining? Then a big thanks to you and please show your support by cracking a like, scripting a comment, or plug-in to follow.

Would like to give sincere thanks to current followers and subscribers, your support and actions mean a lot and has a play in the creation of each script.

Is there something I may have missed about SIM swapping? Script a comment below.

AI, Tech

Deepfakes: Unveiling the Controversy and Opportunities

Key Takeaways

Deepfakes are AI-generated manipulated images, videos, or audio. They can be used to impersonate individuals or create entirely new content.
Deepfakes have a dark history. They first gained notoriety in 2017 when a Reddit user used them to create deepfake pornographic videos.
Deepfakes are created using deep learning models. These models require large amounts of data to learn a person’s features and patterns.
Deepfakes can be used for both malicious and beneficial purposes. They can be used to spread misinformation, harass individuals, and create fake news. However, they can also be used for training simulations, marketing, and creative expression.
Spotting deepfakes can be challenging but not impossible. Look for inconsistencies in facial movements, lighting, shadows, and audio. Trust your gut feeling.
Legal frameworks surrounding deepfakes are still evolving. While there are some state-level laws, a comprehensive federal law is still needed.
It’s important to be aware of the risks and benefits of deepfakes. As technology continues to advance, we need to develop effective detection methods and legal frameworks to mitigate their potential harms.

Bro, they have a video of you throwing something out of your window.
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Understanding Deepfakes: The Good, the Bad, and that’s not your Mom.

Over the years, the internet has been… well, the internet made with all interesting and mentally concerning individuals. Many of which may be right next door to you. As terms online pop-up, one is becoming more and more of a growing concern.

This growing issue deals with, yet again people, (we can’t seem to have anything nice) some of which you may know personally and others…not so much.

Give me that beautiful face!

It’s another day at the office, you’re online, your best work buddy called out, and you’re to fend for yourself. All great things when at work, we love this. While online, browsing through all the wonderful garbage the algorithm has to offer. (Let’s be honest doom-scrolling cute cat videos aren’t a thing anymore, we know) you find some photos and videos of your work buddy.

You think,” Is that? Nah, this can’t be them. They wouldn’t do something as crazy as hurling a basket of cute kittens out of a window.” In disbelief, you call your work buddy to verify if it’s indeed them. Countering disbelief with confusion and uttering that lovely phrase “What in the Sam Cooks hell are you talking about?”

You provide them with what you saw only to discover both surprises are mutual. Both of you wondering the what, when, and how could someone find the time and resources to impersonate anyone to perform such a sickening act. Welcome to the rise of the Deep Fakes.

AI is beginning to look like me more and more.
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What are Deepfakes?

You may be asking yourself, “What are deep fakes? What makes them fake?” Deep fakes are images, videos, and even audio manipulated using artificial intelligence to appear real. Deep fake is a portmanteau- a combination of two words to make a new word- of “deep learning” and “fake”. Deep fakes can be created by replacing a person with another person or by creating new content altogether.

Backstory of Deepfakes

The idea showed up back in 2017 when a Reddit user named “deepfakes” began sharing altered pornographic videos (it’s always porn) using face-swapping technology. If you’re not familiar with face-swapping, this was the craze that led to users being able to swap faces with their pets, friends, and eventually led to being able to put themselves into movie moments.

You know it’s amazing to see how far one species can come in advanced technology and quickly resort to using it for primitive ends. It really shows where our heads are at.

Faking in the Making

How are deep fakes made? And are they all created equal? To answer that last question is ‘no’. Clearly, there’s a different process since everyone’s face tends to have additional features to make them look unique. The process for creating a deep fake consists of collecting large amounts of data containing images or videos of a person.

This could involve having images of every angle, expression, and feature to ensure the AI captures them properly. The “data” or better known in the data science community as the “dataset” is fed into a deep learning model, this could be either variational autoencoder (VAE) or generative adversarial network (GAN), from there the model learns how to create images mimicking the person the dataset is based on.

Just a side note, hundreds of images on an individual are required to generate new images. This means you can’t supply the model with four or five images of someone and expect it to create a video. Models work best when more information is available to them. A key thing to remember when dealing with AI is “the more in, the better out.”

They’re Faking it

You’re on a date, things are going well, and the connection “feels” real. However, this is done in an effort to conserve your feelings. After finding out your date was putting in a playtime shift and more likely wants to see other people, you venture to embarrass them by posting some “not so covered” photos of them online. This scenario is just an example of the use cases for deepfakes.

They can be something small as creating a funny picture for a good laugh, new meme, or it can be vicious as recreating their image in comprising positions. Positions that could lead to some hard times if reputations are tarnished and careers are lost. So, use it with caution.

AI may have everyone else fooled, but not me. Something looks a little off here.
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Exercising caution, Spotting the Fakes

We humans have an eye for spotting something that- to us just doesn’t look right. Trying to spot a deepfake can be challenging depending on how well the image was generated. The obvious telltale signs are an extra limb, appendage, eyeball, or extra anything that typically wouldn’t be on a human.

A reason for this to happen is the model was fed information on a person but not fed the limitations that would make the image of a person normal. Confusing, we know but understand computers don’t think the same way humans do. We speak in a way we can understand what we “mean” or what we “meant” to say. Computers cannot compute abstract meanings.

Other signs include but are not limited to, awkward facial movements, displaced lighting and shadows, and audio that could appear mismatched or just off to how the person would sound. In short, go with your gut feeling. Most often you’ll be right.

Laws Against Deepfakes

The legal landscape surrounding deepfakes is still evolving. In the United States, there is no comprehensive federal legislation specifically addressing deepfakes, but several states have enacted laws to combat their misuse.

For example, Texas has banned deepfakes intended to influence elections, while California prohibits the creation of deepfake videos of politicians within 60 days of an election. At the federal level, the proposed DEFIANCE Act aims to allow victims to sue creators of non-consensual deepfake pornography.

The Benefits of Deepfakes

Despite their potential for harm, deepfakes also offer several benefits. In the healthcare industry, they can be used to create realistic training simulations for medical professionals.

In marketing, deepfakes can lower the cost of video campaigns and provide hyper-personalized experiences for customers. Additionally, deepfakes have creative applications in the arts, allowing for innovative storytelling and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Conclusion

Deepfakes represent a powerful and controversial technology with far-reaching implications. While they offer exciting possibilities for entertainment, education, and marketing, they also pose significant risks to privacy, security, and trust.

As deepfake technology continues to evolve, it is crucial to develop robust detection methods and legal frameworks to mitigate its potential harms while harnessing its benefits for positive use.

Again, it never ceases to surprise us how quickly people resort back to primitive needs when it comes to technology. We’re not shaming, the lizard brain is strong but as technology evolves, the idea is we evolve with it.

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Security, Tech

National Public Data Breach: Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft and Fraud

Key Takeaways

The National Public Data Breach:

A massive data breach at National Public Data, a background check company, exposed billions of SSNs.
This breach puts people at risk of identity theft, including financial fraud, medical identity theft, employment fraud, account takeovers, and loan fraud.
The emotional toll of identity theft can be significant, causing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft:

Monitor your accounts regularly for unauthorized activity.
Freeze or lock your credit to prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
Beware of phishing scams and avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments.
Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
Be mindful of what personal information you share online.
Stay informed about data breaches and cybersecurity threats.

Holding Businesses Accountable:

Businesses must do a better job of safeguarding our information.
Stronger data privacy laws are needed to hold companies accountable.
Companies should collect and store less data, and that data should be encrypted.
Businesses that experience data breaches must be transparent with victims and offer resources to help them.

Building a More Secure Digital Future:

We can take proactive measures to protect ourselves, such as those listed above.
Government and regulatory bodies play a crucial role in enforcing data privacy laws.
Cybersecurity education is essential for empowering individuals to protect themselves.
Organizations need to build a culture of security.
Technology can play a significant role in data protection.
Collaboration between stakeholders is essential for addressing data privacy challenges.

Additional Points:

The human element of cybersecurity is important, with everyone needing to be aware of risks and take precautions.
Data privacy is a global issue with varying approaches from different countries.

YOUR ACCOUNTANT MAY BE ON FIRE, RING THE ALARM!
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Alert! Massive Data Breach: National Public Data Leaks Billions of SSNs

Life throws curveballs, and the last thing we need is a digital gut punch: “Your data may have been compromised.” Buckle up, folks, because a massive data breach has potentially exposed the Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of a whopping 3 billion people! It was 2.7 billion people actually, but saying 3 billion sells.

National Public Data: Ground Zero of the Leak

National Public Data, a company that collects personal info for background checks, is at the epicenter of this data disaster. A class-action lawsuit alleges it’s the source of the leak, potentially putting billions of identities at risk. This is a big deal, folks. A thing to note is while class-action lawsuits sound great when they’re won, they don’t have a great payout. So, don’t expect much there kids.

The Fallout: Identity Theft and Beyond

Hackers with your SSN can wreak havoc on your financial life. Imagine opening your bank statement to find unauthorized charges or a hefty new loan – all thanks to a stolen SSN. But like having your heart-broken after Labor Day, the damage goes deeper:

Medical Identity Theft

Hackers could access your healthcare or sell your medical information. Medical identity theft is particularly insidious because it can lead to incorrect medical records, which can affect your treatment in emergencies. Imagine being given the wrong medication because your medical records were altered by a thief. The consequences can be life-threatening.

Employment Fraud

They might use your SSN to land jobs and commit tax fraud in your name. Employment fraud can lead to complications with the IRS, as you may be held responsible for taxes on income you never earned. This can result in lengthy investigations and legal battles to clear your name.

Account Takeovers

Say goodbye to secure online accounts if hackers reset your passwords. Account takeovers can lead to unauthorized access to your email, social media, and financial accounts. This can result in further identity theft, as hackers can use the information in your accounts to answer security questions and gain access to even more of your personal data.

Loan Fraud

New credit lines opened in your name, leaving you with a mountain of debt. Loan fraud can severely impact your credit score, making it difficult to obtain loans or credit in the future. It can take years to resolve the damage caused by fraudulent loans, and the financial burden can be overwhelming.

An empty bank account could have you feeling dead on the inside.
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The Emotional Toll of Identity Theft

The emotional toll of identity theft is brutal – stress, rebuilding credit, and the constant worry about someone else living your financial life. Victims often experience anxiety, depression, and a sense of violation. The process of restoring your identity can be long and arduous, requiring countless hours of phone calls, paperwork, and vigilance.

Taking Action: Fight Back and Protect Yourself

Here’s what you can do to minimize the damage:

Monitor Your Accounts

Keep a hawk eye on bank statements and credit reports. Consider credit monitoring services for an extra layer of protection. Regularly checking your accounts can help you catch unauthorized transactions early, allowing you to take swift action to mitigate the damage.

Freeze or Lock Your Credit

This makes it harder for unauthorized individuals to open new accounts in your name. Freezing your credit can prevent new credit accounts from being opened without your permission. However, it can also make it more difficult for you to open new accounts, so weigh the pros and cons.

Beware of Phishing Scams

Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments in emails or texts. Hackers love to fish for your information! Phishing scams can be sophisticated and convincing, so always verify the source before providing any personal information.

Strong Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication

Use unique, complex passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible. It adds an extra hurdle for hackers. Multi-factor authentication requires a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, making it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your accounts.

Be Mindful of What You Share Online

Limit the personal information you share online. Less data floating around means less risk of it getting stolen. Be cautious about sharing details like your birthdate, address, and phone number on social media and other online platforms.

Stay Informed

Keep yourself updated about data breaches and cybersecurity threats. Knowledge is power! Staying informed about the latest threats and best practices can help you stay one step ahead of hackers.

A Call for Accountability: Businesses Must Do Better

Companies like National Public Data have a responsibility to safeguard our information. This breach raises serious questions about their data collection practices and security measures. Shouldn’t they be held accountable for failing to protect our most sensitive data?

Stronger Data Privacy Laws: Protecting What’s Ours

Data breaches like this one highlight the urgent need for stronger data privacy laws. Companies should be held responsible for safeguarding our information, not leaving us vulnerable. Stronger regulations can ensure that companies implement robust security measures and are held accountable for breaches.

Data Minimization: Less is More

Companies shouldn’t collect more data than is absolutely necessary. The less data they have, the less can be stolen. Data minimization practices can reduce the risk of breaches and limit the impact if a breach occurs.

Data Encryption: Protecting the Crown Jewels

Sensitive information like SSNs should always be encrypted. Encryption makes stolen data useless for hackers. Implementing strong encryption protocols can protect data both in transit and at rest, ensuring that even if data is intercepted, it cannot be easily accessed.

Transparency and Communication: Helping Victims

Companies that experience data breaches must be transparent with affected individuals and offer resources to help them mitigate potential damage. Clear communication can help victims take immediate action to protect themselves and minimize the impact of the breach.

The Path Forward: Vigilance and Proactive Measures

The digital age offers amazing opportunities, but it also comes with risks. This National Public Data breach serves as a stark reminder that our personal information is constantly under threat. While we can’t undo the damage, we can take proactive measures to protect ourselves and advocate for stronger data privacy regulations.

Additional Resources

FTC IdentityTheft.gov: https://www.identitytheft.gov/
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: https://privacyrights.org/
Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC): https://epic.org/
Credit Freeze/Lock Resources: (Include links or instructions based on your target audience’s location)

Remember, You’re Not Alone

Identity theft can be a daunting experience, but you don’t have to face it alone. There are resources and support available to help you navigate the process of restoring your identity and protecting your information. By staying vigilant, informed, and proactive, you can reduce the risk of identity theft and minimize the impact if it does occur.

The Role of Government and Regulatory Bodies

Government and regulatory bodies play a crucial role in protecting consumers from data breaches and identity theft. By enacting and enforcing strong data privacy laws, they can hold companies accountable for safeguarding personal information. Regulatory bodies can also provide guidance and resources to help individuals protect themselves and recover from identity theft.

The Importance of Cybersecurity Education

Education is a key component of cybersecurity. By raising awareness about the risks and best practices for protecting personal information, we can empower individuals to take control of their digital security. Cybersecurity education should be integrated into school curriculums, workplace training programs, and public awareness campaigns.

Building a Culture of Security

Creating a culture of security within organizations is essential for protecting personal information. This involves fostering a mindset where security is a priority at all levels of the organization. Employees should be trained on security best practices, and companies should implement policies and procedures to ensure that data is handled securely.

The Future of Data Privacy

As technology continues to evolve, so too will the challenges of data privacy. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and blockchain present new opportunities and risks for data security. It is essential that we stay ahead of these developments and continue to advocate for strong data privacy protections.

I’ve spoken with a cybersecurity professional, we’re not taking this laying down.
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Conclusion: A Call to Action

The National Public Data breach is a wake-up call for all of us. It highlights the importance of protecting our personal information and holding companies accountable for safeguarding our data. By taking proactive measures, staying informed, and advocating for stronger data privacy laws, we can work together to create a more secure digital future.

Additional Tips for Protecting Your Personal Information

Use a Password Manager: A password manager can help you create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.
Enable Account Alerts: Many financial institutions offer account alerts that notify you of suspicious activity. Enable these alerts to stay informed about any unusual transactions.
Review Privacy Settings: Regularly review the privacy settings on your social media and online accounts to ensure that you are only sharing information with trusted individuals.
Shred Sensitive Documents: Shred any documents that contain personal information before disposing of them to prevent identity theft.
Be Cautious with Public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive information over public Wi-Fi networks, as they can be vulnerable to hacking.

The Role of Technology in Data Protection

Technology can play a significant role in protecting personal information. Innovations such as biometric authentication, advanced encryption techniques, and artificial intelligence can enhance security and reduce the risk of data breaches. Companies should invest in these technologies to protect their customers’ data.

The Importance of Collaboration

Collaboration between government, industry, and individuals is essential for addressing the challenges of data privacy. By working together, we can develop comprehensive strategies to protect personal information and respond effectively to data breaches.

The Human Element of Cybersecurity

While technology is crucial for data protection, the human element should not be overlooked. Employees, customers, and individuals all play a role in maintaining security. By fostering a culture of security and providing education and resources, we can empower people to take an active role in protecting their information.

The Global Perspective on Data Privacy

Data privacy is a global issue, and different countries have varying approaches to protecting personal information

Love learning tech? Join our community of passionate minds! Share your knowledge, ask questions, and grow together. Like, comment, and subscribe to fuel the movement!

Don’t forget to share.

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